Atlas Throttle Lock (V2; "bottom kit")

Hello 'Tards,

I'm sure I'm not the only one that stares and drools over that switch gear on the GS parked next to you with the controls marked: "SET/RES", "OFF/ON". I read the fine print but was a little surprised when my bargain exotic didn't come with cruise control. I'll admit it...I have cruise envy.

I've been rocking a Cramp Buster for years and it's adequate for medium touring. You can't actually pull you hand away and stretch the digits, though, so all-day touring is not really answered (but for $10, hard to beat). There's a glimmer of electronic cruise control on a thread here but it died on the vine. Next step up is throttle locks. The range from Saw movie inspired contraptions to popular options that don't offer an option for the Tard lineup.

I was never really a fan of the Kaoko roll-on/ off style. Doesn't matter since they don't make one for us anyway. Then a recent search turned up the Atlas. Watched about 2.5 YouTube vids and ordered. Got it for $135 shipped.

*Caveat - only had two days on the road with it.
Goods:
+Nice kit, well designed, solid construction.
+Best control functionality of a throttle lock. Thumb controls feel natural.
+Inspiring and safe when working

Others:
-Just have to run it before you find preferred mounting point
-Our TBW is a little finicky with fitment; stock grips might be easier
-The set screws have a cosmoline-type gunk on them I had to clean off to get them to bite properly; also very small hex head I may have stripped already

I had to release the set screw multiple times to get a better bite on the alligator jaw style tension arm. I eventually stripped the extremely tiny hex head set screw, but the kit came with a spare. Worked great the first day but I realized I wanted to rotate it a little lower. It works via a simple friction pad so you can snap it closed in an emergency, if needed.

Day 2 wasn't so great. It loosened to the point where it spun on the tube and wouldn't hold the throttle. I had to get a better bite a couple times during install so I chalk this up to needing a better bite. The small space I chose between my Puig grips and a disc that is part of our TBW may also be an issue as it keep digging deeper into the divide. Finally, the smooth plastic ignition switch housing that the friction pad bites may need a little ruffing up. I think all of these are easily solvable.

More to follow as I get more miles out of it.

Looking forward to testing my crampbuster. Good times!!!

How did the Atlas work out?

I can't get a Kaoko, the Atlas may be my next best option.

i had one on my old goldwing, i didnt like it, but i was going to use it on the tard, and now i cant find it.. its one of those things in a box somewhere
I like those grips.. where do you find those?

The Atlas is good but takes a little patience and tweaking. The very tiny hex bolt that comes with it strips easy. With my grips and where I seated it I had to dog the clamp down tight and that little bolt was toast. I added a phillips/ socket head bolt that held up much better. You also have to experiment with the rubber gripper pads that hold tension for cruise lock. They give you an assortment - width, size, etc. You can also play with the distance between switch gear control module and actual throttle. You have to get that perfect that gives great bite to hold the throttle, doesn't rub when disengaged, and doesn't break your thumb to engage.

I just got it perfect but haven't ever been on a long haul trip to enjoy it. I use it any chance I get on my commute. I'd say for light highway jaunts the cramp buster is still great. If you got a trip where you plan to burn a couple tanks, this is the best option.

Martymoe said:

i had one on my old goldwing, i didnt like it, but i was going to use it on the tard, and now i cant find it.. its one of those things in a box somewhere
I like those grips.. where do you find those?

Click to expand...

Those grips look great but non-throttle diameter was too big. Constantly slipped. Tried all kinds of shims and adhesives. I just got those cheapo MX comfort grips that everyone raves about and they really are amazing.

i ride a bigger bike with bigger diameter grips, my ducati grips were wore out when i got the bike, and ducati wanted $$$ for new ones, so i put on a set of motion pros, they felt small, so i put grip puppies on them..
Gettin all trailer park with the Ducati..

The Atlas sounds fiddly, rather fragile, rather sensitive (to setup and wear). Not sure I want to take a chance on it.

I did pick up a crampbuster-like thing for $3. Seems to be working well, but it's not quite the solution I was hoping for.

I fitted a crampbuster to an old Suzuki VX800, which have torquey engines and a very direct shaft drive and are therefore quite sensitive to the throttle at low speed. First time after fitting it, I had to do a sharp stop as some ***** in a car in front got confused. My bodyweight shot forward onto my wrists and then onto the crampbuster, resulting in the bike speeding up rather than slowing down. Definitely a brown-trouser moment, and the crampbuster came straight off and into the bin! Be very careful with them...

Nick

Also just purchased one to throw on the strada. I'll let you know how it works with the stock grips!

I've been out on mine all day riding with my friends..
using this homade kaoko clone works great

I probably would have tried the Kaoko if they had made one for the Hyper. But, tried one on a friends bike once and I just didn't like the operation of rolling hand movements to lock the throttle.

It's actually a pretty well crafted piece of kit. The fiddling is just a cost of producing universal applications. I'm sure it matches up quick and easy to a stock GS. I think the plastic base for our TBW throttle tube is also a bit unique. The plastic is very hard and the lobster claw tension system struggle to bite it. Hence the needing a better tensioner screw.